City Council Recap | June 16, 2025

Overview

The Newberg City Council met at 6 p.m. on June 16 to discuss an updated Street Tree List and allocate Construction Excise Tax (CET) funds to affordable housing projects. Debate over the CET funding occupied most of the meeting. The council also approved the final supplemental budget, appointed two new members to the Rate Review Commission, and heard various public comments.

In Attendance

• Mayor Bill Rosacker
• Councilor Mike McBride
• Councilor Robyn Wheatley
• Councilor Elise Yarnell-Hollamon
• Councilor Peggy Kilburg
• Councilor Jeri Turgesen

Absent

• Councilor Derek Carmon

City Manager’s Report

City Manager Will Worthey presented a report of monthly statistics through the end of April 2025. Numbers for construction, planning permits, and building inspections were slightly below average but are expected to rise soon. Online and social media engagement with the city continues to grow. The Newberg Public Library remains the highest-performing library in Yamhill County. Due to a failure in the RMS software used to collect statistics, public safety data for April was not available in time.

Public Comments

Elaine Koskela, an employee of the Forest Grove School District and a former Newberg School District employee, spoke about the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcements, or ICE, agents in the region. She recounted the abduction and deportation of an 8-year-old student in Cottage Grove and denounced ICE’s operation.

“Pull together, to speak for everyone in Yamhill County,” she urged the council. “I’m very encouraged by the way this community has stepped up, so I’m asking you all to step up too.”

Rob Felton, chief of staff in the president’s office at George Fox University, expressed the university’s support for the SPARK Newberg project, which aims to help participants achieve homeownership.

Nathan Wildfire, CEO of the Missing Middle Housing Fund, also voiced support for SPARK and spoke about efforts to create housing for Newberg workers.

Presentation: Asago Middle School Exchange Report

Students who participated in an exchange program with Newberg’s sister city, Asago, Japan, gave a presentation on their experience. They shared lessons learned about communication, intercultural friendships, and Japanese culture. One student presented a gift to Mayor Rosacker from the mayor of Asago.

Consent Agenda: Landscape Maintenance Service Contract

The council approved Resolution 2025-3978, authorizing the city manager to sign a contract with DeSantis Landscapes to provide city landscape services at a cost of $141,228 for the first year.

Continued Business

Street Tree List and Code Maintenance Update

The city’s street tree list, last updated in 1992, will be revised. Staff presented photos showing improperly placed trees damaging sidewalks and curbs or obstructing utilities, and instances where all trees had been removed without replacement.

The updated list includes more options and emphasizes hardy species suitable for urban environments, with guidance on size, selection, and placement.

The council unanimously approved the updated list and scheduled a work session to discuss code amendments.

Public Comment

Newberg resident Robert Soppe elaborated on the written testimony that had been previously submitted. He said he had planted two trees in his planter strip 35 years ago, which now require removal due to sidewalk damage. Though the city code didn’t originally require tree planting, Shoppe noted he is now required to replace the trees at his own expense, which he opposed due to the financial burden on homeowners.

New Business

Construction Excise Tax Fund Awards

The council reviewed funding requests from the CET fund. Established in 2020, the CET imposed a 1% tax on the assessed value of new construction to address housing affordability. The tax expired in 2023, and the fund now holds approximately $1.4 million. Remaining funds must be distributed to affordable housing projects.

Funding requests included:

• Newberg Habitat for Humanity: $380,615 to build two single-family homes for first-time homebuyers.
• SPARK Newberg: $1 million to develop up to 20 dwelling units for program participants.
• The Heart of Newberg: $1 million to develop an affordable housing project on land donated by Providence Health & Services.

The Affordable Housing Commission (AHC) made the following recommendations on April 22:

• Fully fund Habitat for Humanity’s request.
• Do not fund SPARK Newberg, citing failure to meet minimum criteria.
• Do not fund The Heart of Newberg due to noncommunication status with City staff.
• Issue a new Notice of Funding Availability to disperse remaining funds.

City staff supported these recommendations.

Presentations

Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Shannon Selah discussed the organization’s history, volunteer involvement, family selection process, and the specific project at 1201 E. Fifth St. It would house at least two four-person families, including one veteran family.

Doug Cain, SPARK Newberg board member, presented details of the program. Supporting People in Achieving Resilience and Knowledge (SPARK) is an organization aiming to create housing opportunities for families working in Newberg who earn below 80% of the average median income. Families would live in SPARK housing for 48 months while receiving financial education, then apply for a grant toward a home down payment. SPARK is awaiting 501(c)(3) nonprofit status.

Public Comments

Scott Parish, chairman of the board at A-dec Dental Equipment, endorsed SPARK, citing the need for affordable housing and the value of financial education.

Tara Colton, interim general manager at The Allison, said employees are leaving Newberg for Portland in search of more affordable housing and walkability. She also endorsed SPARK.

The council noted SPARK’s proposal did not yet meet AHC criteria due to incomplete documentation, property acquisition status, and an undefined budget. In contrast, Habitat for Humanity met all requirements.

After discussion and questioning, the council expressed strong support for SPARK’s mission and voted to approve both requests: $380,615 to Habitat and the remainder to SPARK, contingent on securing 501(c)(3) status and resolving legal clarifications.

The motion passed with Councilors McBride, Wheatley, Yarnell Hollamon, and Turgesen in favor, Councilor Kilburg opposed, and Mayor Rosacker abstaining.

Supplemental Budget #3

Kady Strode presented Resolution No. 2025-3975, approving the year’s final supplemental budget, with a net increase in appropriations of $345,364. This included transferring funds from economic development to the general fund and increases to the administrative services, communications, and public safety budgets.

The council approved the resolution unanimously.

Rate Review Appointments

The council unanimously approved the appointments of Roger Kuhlman and Raquel Peregrino de Brito to the Rate Review Commission, with terms ending Dec. 31, 2027.

Media Recognition: Newsberg

The council unanimously recognized Branden Andersen of Newsberg for media coverage, granting Andersen access to Newberg City Council executive sessions.

The meeting adjourned at 9:27 p.m.